Square Dance Legend Lee Schmidt The Crawdad Man HAS RETIRED
You will be listing to Lee's song "Crawdad" while you read!
Lee Schmidt... "The Crawdad Man," one of Square Dancing's most popular entertainers makes his home in Anaheim, California. Square dancing is the California state folk dance and is recognized as the national folk dance as well. Lee has been active in the preservation of this folk art. He has been calling for over 40 years not only in California and the United States, but all over the world. He has participated in festivals in Alaska, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Missouri, Canada, China, England, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand to name a few. Presently Lee calls mostly in the western states and makes one or two trips out of the country each year. Lee teaches two or three beginning square dance classes and calls local dances every week year round. He has taught over 20,000 people to square dance. Lee also performs at several "live music' dances every year which have been consistent "sell-outs." In addition to this, he teaches a caller's class for new and upcoming callers.
Lee's musical background is not limited to square dancing. He has been in the music business since he was 14 years old. He is a member of the Academy of Country Music, Caller Lab and the Western Swing Association. He does country music shows locally and he directed and performed in the country western show at the 1988 National Square Dance Convention. Lee has recorded several country CD's and cassettes and has also made country and square dance videotapes. He recorded on the Hi-Hat Square label for over 20 years. He has also recorded on the Swing Star label, was co-owner of Shakedown Square Dance Records and owner of Marilee Records.
Lee Schmidt has performed with the following entertainers:
Golden West Cowboys
Sharon Leighton
Jim Smith
Ralph Grasso
Mike Ley
Ernest Tubbs
Harold Hensley
Danny Michaels
Betty White Telethon
Bob Hope (TB)
K.T. Oslin
Tex Williams
Brantley Kearns
Hank Penny
Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys
Don Lee
Sons of the Pioneers
Al Vescovo
In addition to appearing in commericals, Lee has also done performances at:
Academy of Country Music #3621
Knotts Berry Farm
Beverly Hills 90210 (TV)
March of Dimes Telethon
Channel 28 series on square dancing (TV)
Melody Ranch
Disneyland
North West Passage
Good Morning America
Lee Schmidt has a big heart and has done benefit dances for the following Organizations:
Associated Square Dancers Association, March of Dimes (37 years), City of Hope (38 years).
Girl Scouts, Crippled Children (20 Years) YMCA, YWCA, White Cane, Toys for Tots, Speak Easy and Cystic Fibrosis.
CCHA TRIBUTE to Lee Schmidt
Lee Schmidt calling at two different Square Dances
Hunter Keller, a guess caller from Montana, calling at the Cowtown Square Dance Center near Riverside California!
There's a lot more to Square Dancing than just Dancing! In addition to dancing, Lee Schmidt has guided groups of square dancers on tours all over the world. Take a look at these picture of the latest tour to Africa.
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